IObit Malware Fighter 8.4

Protecting our computer from an ever-growing number of threats and viruses is of paramount importance.

To preserve our privacy and to protect our data from cyberthefts at a home-user level, we need a tool that is both easy to set up and use and that effectively removes any potential malware right away. IObit Malware Fighter fits that description perfectly, and besides, it won’t cost you.

Unlike many other similar antivirus tools, which promise potential users a completely free tool that will clean up their PCs and laptops in no time and then asks you to upgrade to a paid version when the actual clean-up time comes, IObit Malware Fighter keeps its promises from the scan process to the final threat removal task. Sure, it includes a number of options and features that carry a PRO label and that may cause some frustration to new users, but the program does deliver the promised functionality, fixing all the threats if detects.

The first thing the program does once launched is to perform a quick Smart Scan and present you with the results, offering you the option to remove the threats right away. It will also update the virus database on the go to guarantee that all the newest threats are detected. Once your PC or laptop is fully clean and protected, you can relax and take a look at the other functions that the program offers. When it comes to scanning your computer, apart from the above-mentioned Smart Scan, you can perform a Full Scan or a Custom Scan whenever you need it.

This free tool also gives you a Homepage Advisor to protect your homepage and search engine from unwanted changes; a Download Protection feature that scans anything you download – e-mail attachments included – before they touch your PC; a Plugin/Toolbar Cleaner; a DNS Protect feature to avoid unwanted changes also on your DNS settings, and a Surfing Protection & Ads Removal to help you surf the Web securely (new to this version).

If you need an extra level of protection with the same level of efficiency, you can always upgrade to the PRO edition, which will provide you with a Bitdefender Engine, an Auto Scan option, and other advantages that fall outside the scope of this review. If, like me, you happen to be a standard home user with standard protection needs, this free version of IObit Malware Fighter will surely cover all your expectations.